The Forest Friend dioramas are sculptures lovingly formed around found wood which has been carefully cleaned, sanded, and finished, then brought to life with mosses, snails, bark, cones,…. and little people. A diorama may have as few as one character — or as many as thirty-five. Some scenes are light-hearted, others serious; some have universal appeal, others fill specific requests (for example, a special birthday or anniversary, the birth of a child, retirement, a period of difficult changes).
The materials used in the dioramas are chosen with care and with respect for the environment; they must be ecologically compatible, with little, if any, allowance for aesthetics. It is a fundamental rule that every component of these art pieces is within the realm of the possible for a society of elfin beings living in our forests. In “Bountiful Harvest,” for example, the gatherers are bringing in supplies which are edible or medicinal, as well as materials for tools, containers, and instruments. In “Medicine Maid,” the healer is surrounded with stores of medicinal flowers, leaves, and roots. Her mortar and pestle consist of a round pebble in a clam shell or smooth hollow of rock. The basketmaker uses birch bark, pine needles, oak galls, snake skins, fibre from the leatherbark bush, to mention just a few items connected to his craft. A Forest Friend’s pet may be a beetle or a bumblebee. Wasps serve as protectors. Although every Forest Friend diorama is a one-of-a-kind work of art, capturing a moment out of this elusive civilization, the themes are repeated. Here is a partial list: Celebration of New Life, Mother and Child, Greeting the Dawn, Heartbeat and Spirit Rhythm, Time for Wonder, Time for Teling Tales, The Promise, Making Music, Lullaby, Play, Time for Contemplation, The Rescue, Hidden Treasure, Gifts, Borrowing from the Bees, A New Melody, Duet, Rhythmic Meditation, Waking up the Ladybird Beetles, … Each one is numbered and titled, and comes with an explanatory leaflet.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE FOREST FRIENDS: A SEED OF AN IDEA THAT TOOK FLIGHT – Click Here
Following is a sampling of Forest Friend dioramas:
THE DANCING TREE
Deep in the woodlands a tree has grown in such a way that it appears to be dancing. Did it take this stance because it was responding to bird song and the soft sighing of the wind in the pines towering over it?… or perhaps it began swaying to sweet melodies played by Forest Friend musicians? Or did the Forest Friends come later, inspired to play their instruments here to keep the tree dancing? No one knows. Nor does it matter.
One thing is certain: even though the tree clearly has weathered many storms over the years, its expressive pose remains a source of wonder and delight to all who pass by. And there is a special relationship with those Little Ones who regale it with their music.
SANCTUARY
With senses always sharp and bright, the Forest Friends have an exceptionally keen awareness of their surroundings. In addition, they are such masters in the art of camouflage that, in an instant, their colour, shape, even sound will blend so effectively with their environment that they seem to vanish into thin air. These two attributes have served them well in meeting challenges and in avoiding or dealing with unwanted encounters.
Yet occasionally (though rarely) they may be caught by surprise through a sudden shift in the weather or imminent discovery by human beings, most of whom are regarded with considerable distrust. The woodlands are generous, offering many a sanctuary in such a case – like this hollow of a tree. The Forest Friend family will feel safe here until the danger has passed.
THE POTTERS
The Forest Friends have little need for pottery in day-to-day life since the gifts of the earth include ready-made containers as well as materials to create others quickly and easily. They do, however, form Earth itself into special ceremonial vessels for one-time use. With skills learned from their six-legged friends and adapted to their needs, they create pots and bowls.
Where clay is not readily available, the Forest Friend potters grind down and reuse the cement-like material of mud dauber and potter wasp nest cells that have already served their purpose. Mixed with water, it is readily formed into containers which will be used once and then returned to Mother Earth.
In this diorama the potters have also made a turtle shape, perhaps to honour the lessons of this creature, … or maybe just for fun, as a playful expression of their creative spirit.
SACRED SPACE
The Forest Friends believe in the sacredness of all life – and this includes the sacredness of self. It follows then that any place set aside for quiet contemplation and reflection is sacred space.
This Forest Friend has retreated from daily tasks to her personal sacred space, which she has devoted to the teachings of her community. These lessons and messages are represented by 36 symbols based on details from Nature. Sometimes she brings special finds to this place, ones which are expressions of the teachings. Snail. Tendril. Three-part pod…
Today she is adding the empty cocoon of a giant moth (polyphemus). Like an empty chrysalis, it bears an important message about change, acceptance, and hope, a reminder of miraculous transformations and transitions to new experiences and new horizons. She understands that every teaching contributes to a life of Harmony and Balance in the woodlands, to an active awareness of the interconnectedness of all living things, to fulfilling her own purpose while also enjoying the sweetness of life. Her heart is open to learn.